A 33 year old wife. Stay at home mom. Follower of Jesus. Homeschooler. Organic gardener. Chicken caretaker. Reader. Baker. Soap maker. Lover of things handmade. The person responsible for the laundry...

Monday, September 26, 2011

I'm part of a group on facebook called, "Riot for Austerity". It's about using less resources, being frugal, buying new, going without and doing this differently. (not that I'm very good at this!) One of the recent questions posed by the group moderator was "how is your winter pantry shaping up?" Normally, I try to grow a lot of our food, find things we don't grow or raise at our local markets or through individual farmers. I can, dehydrate, freeze, etc. Cook my own instead of buying processed junk. I enjoy it. I feel like I'm providing quality for my family. Our children are learning where their food comes from, how it grows, what the meat we eat looks like when it's still in a pasture! They're learning to cook at a young age (instead of their late 20s, like me). They think I make the best bread, pizza crust, and tortillas in the world! (only because they're fresh, I'm sure)

I've been trying to inventory our pantry and freezer and it's not as good as I had hoped. Not to make excuses, but this pregnancy has been kinda tough. I've been put on a modified bedrest a few times, instructed not to go out in the heat and humidity (too many contractions), etc. It made getting out in the garden nearly impossible when temps were in the 90s and bedrest meant no canning the tomatoes when it was time. (I asked the OB, I was told 'absolutely not')

So, this how things are shaping up for us. Good things: our freezer is packed full of local meat (lamb and chicken), local berries (strawberries and blueberries), sweet corn, and peppers. (the freezer sits on our outside porch and takes nearly no energy to run during the winter... we make up for it during warm summer months)

Okay things: I canned crushed tomatoes, peaches, jam, and pickled hot peppers... but not enough. (I would have been closer if I hadn't been put on bedrest during this pregnancy)

Better Luck next year: Our potato crop was a bust... and our popcorn didn't do so hot, either. Luckily, we still have a lot of leftover popcorn (it's a big source of snacks and lunches for us).

In progress: I found a local source for oats I need to call on and we have some wheat berries stored. I'm sure we need more local honey and maple syrup. (trying to phase out processed white sugar) I'll have to pick those up at the market when I stock up on apples (to dry, store, and sauce), carrots, potatoes and butternut squash (which I can't grow to save my life!).

But, our 3rd child is due any day now so some things are going to have to wait!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I am still pregnant. The doctor didn't think I would make it past Friday. It's Tuesday and I'm still pregnant. I'm 38 weeks... only 2 weeks til my due date. Jack was born right at 38 weeks and he was a big guy (8 1/2 pounds). I don't think I want our girl to get much bigger than that! She seems to be a patient baby... calm and gentle so far (not a hyper baby in-utero)... we'll see if that continues once she truly arrives. Because seriously, I cannot be pregnant forever. Right?!?!?! (although it feels that way right now) I have another check up tomorrow, let's see how that goes.

I know how hard life will be... no sleep, constant feedings, the big kids waking the baby. I know how great it'll be...sweet baby smell... snuggles...a precious new life. I'm eager to stop gaining weight. My yoga mat misses me. It's getting chilly, my feet are cold... I need shoes (real shoes!) to fit again...and jackets that do up! I won't miss the heartburn. I long for the day I can keep my emotions and hormones in check! (no more crying, less yelling. Irritable?? Who, me!?)

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

36 weeks... not long to go now. The doctors hope I can last another week (they don't think I'll make it anywhere near my due date, but that's no surprise.).

Although the picture is relatively flattering... here are a few things I will not miss:
*My ginormous belly. I'd much rather hold my baby in my arms than have her sit on my bladder.
*My ginormous rear-end that matches the belly. Because, you know, it's all about balance.
*Peeing 87 times a day. It's a little much.
*Pregnancy insomnia. Can't fall asleep, wake up all night long, can't fall back asleep, get up at 4 am because, hey! Why not.
*Having my very big, very low belly hang out of every shirt I own (maternity, or otherwise).
*Only wearing flipflips. It's getting chilly and my feet are cold. And a girl likes more options when it comes to footwear. Something other that dirty green flipflops.
*Having everyone ask how I feel. Because clearly, I don't feel that great. I have daily contractions, I've already visited the hospital, I've been dilated (to some degree) for weeks, I pee 87 times a day, I can't reach my own feet, I can't bend over, I can't sleep... do I need to continue?
*Waddling. I hate waddling. It's embarrassing.
*Having everyone (friends and strangers alike) say either: "You're so big! Are you sure it isn't twins?" or "Are you still pregnant? It's been forever!" Yes, obviously I'm still pregnant. (notice the waddling?) and I know how long it has been. Trust me. But it's still a month early.
*Not being able to do anything by myself. I don't like asking for help, but I can no longer push mow the yard, clean out the chicken coop, or lift a 25 lb bag of dog food.

I'm ready to be done. The very end of pregnancy is hard. It's exhausting. It makes you tired and emotional and cranky. I'm looking forward to holding our new daughter and learning her personality. Seeing what color eyes she has. And if she has her dad's mouth, or mine. I want to start working out again... and wear normal clothes. I want Jack to feel like a big brother. And for Carlie to know what it's like to have a sister. *sigh* Not much longer...